Doc Rivers is trying to keep his Clippers focused on finishing off the Warriors after a story broke about racially insensitive remarks allegedly made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

Photo: Danny Moloshok, Associated Press

Doc Rivers is trying to keep his Clippers focused on finishing off...

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Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, right, answers questions during a pregame news conference before Game 4 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, right, answers...

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Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson answers questions during a pregame news conference before Game 4 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Already a high-pressure situation for all parties involved, the first-round, best-of-seven playoff series between the Warriors and Clippers turned into an all-out melodrama a day ahead of Sunday's Game 4.

Hours after a racially insensitive audio recording of a person believed to be Clippers owner Donald Sterling was released by TMZ, a steaming mad Clippers head coach Doc Rivers stood in the shadow of Bill Russell's retired jersey at USF and tried his best to turn attentions back to basketball.

"We're playing. We're playing Golden State, and Golden State is our enemy right now," Rivers said. "We heard about all of the boycotts and all of the other stuff. That's all stuff we could do. We choose to play. ...

"The biggest statement we can make as men - not as black men, but as men - is to stick together and show how strong we are as a group. Not splinter. Not walk. It's easy to protest. The protest will show in our play."

In a 45-minute team meeting Saturday, the Clippers considered a variety of silent protests, varying from boycotting Sunday's game to playing with statement-making patches or wristbands in response to Sterling's alleged comments.

The 80-year-old owner of the Clippers, who faced federal civil rights charges related to his real estate holdings and rental practices in the 2000s and had an age and racial discrimination suit filed against him by Elgin Baylor in this decade, appeared to continue a string of reprehensible behavior this month.

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In a tape of an April 9 argument between people who sound like Sterling and V. Stiviano, a female friend who is black and Mexican, the male voice says he doesn't want her bringing black people to his games, including Magic Johnson.

"It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to?" ... "You can sleep with (them). You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it ... and not to bring them to my games."

In a statement released by Clippers president Andy Roeser, the team questioned the authenticity of the tape - saying "we do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered" - and then added, "Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them."

The NBA and the league's players association also released statements on the situation.

Mike Bass, the NBA's executive vice president of communications, said: "We are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the audio recording obtained by TMZ. The remarks heard on the recording are disturbing and offensive, but at this time we have no further information."

In a Saturday night news conference, Commissioner Adam Silver reiterated the NBA's statement and said Sterling won't attend Sunday's game in Oakland.

Chris Paul, the president of the NBPA and the Clippers' starting point guard, said: "On behalf of the National Basketball Players Association, this is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively. We have asked (Sacramento) Mayor Kevin Johnson to expand his responsibilities with the NBPA, to determine our response and our next steps. As players, we owe it to our teams and our fans to keep our focus on our game, the playoffs, and the drive to the Finals."

Rivers, who spoke on behalf of his players, kept redirecting an interview with the media gaggle toward basketball. He agreed that the racial issue was more important than the Clippers' playoff drive, but he doesn't think this is the time or place to discuss it.

"This is a situation where we're trying to go after something very important to us - something we've all dreamed about all of our childhoods. Donald or anyone else had nothing to do with that dream, and we're not going to let anything get in the way of those dreams," Rivers said. "That situation will be dealt with later. Right now, our goals haven't changed. Our focus is on Golden State, and it's going to stay on Golden State. ...

"It upsets all of us. There's not one guy who is happy with this situation. Do you think I want to be talking about this instead of trying to stop Steph Curry? I don't."

Curry and the Warriors have pressures of their own, facing a 2-1 deficit in a series that has swung decisively in the favor of the Clippers during the past two games. If they lose Game 4, they'll be facing the nearly impossible task of beating the Clippers three straight times - the Clippers haven't lost three in a row all season - and getting two of those wins in Los Angeles.

"In fairness, I'm not in their position, and that's their fight - as far as that's the uniform that they wear," said Jackson, who played for Sterling from 1992-94 and was one of five finalists for the Clippers' coaching gig in 2008. "From my standpoint, it's important for me to let it be known that it's unacceptable, it's unfortunate, and I'm disappointed in the statements. There's no place for it."

Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala said he hears racist comments every day in a workplace where it's still hidden. He said he would consider joining the Clippers in any kind of silent protest that included playing the game, but he hoped for something more.

"Hopefully, it's a learning experience that there's no place for that in this sport or any other business," he said. "It's only going to keep us from getting to where we all want to be: for all of us to be equal and feel a positive way about each other. ...

"Just by playing, it shows all of the hard work that those guys put in and the sacrifices they've made to fulfill their dreams. You can't let someone like that deter you from where you want to be or what you want your legacy to stand for."

Warriors on Sunday

What: Game 4 vs. Clippers

Where: Oracle Arena

When: 12:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: Channel: 7 Channel: 10 /1050

Warriors on Sunday

What: Clippers at Warriors, Game 4 (Clippers lead series 2-1)

Where: Oracle Arena

When: 12:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: Channel: 7 Channel: 10 /1050

Of note: Warriors head coach Mark Jackson said he's considering moving Draymond Green into the starting lineup for Game 4. ... Center Andrew Bogut hasn't been able to do anything, except watch practices, since the Warriors returned to Oakland on Tuesday. He wasn't even able to sit on the bench during Thursday's game, because his fractured rib causes too much pain when he sits for an extended period. ... Owner Joe Lacob said the Warriors will "unequivocally" re-sign shooting guard Klay Thompson, who would need to sign an extension by an Oct. 31 deadline. ... New Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to attend Sunday's Game 4.